Spooling gauge and reject system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for separating spool-shaped articles having defective flanges from similar articles which are substantially free from flange defects includes translating the articles in an axial direction over an opening of predetermined width less than the flange diameter between members supporting the article by contact at the flange perimeter, and rotating the articles about the core axis so that the articles with defective flanges are rotated into a position in which the flange dimension is insufficient for the flanges to support the articles. The defective articles thereby fall through the opening whereas the articles substantially free from flange defects will not. The apparatus desirably includes track means which defines the opening, supply means for supplying the articles to the track for travel in an axial direction, and means, advantageously vibrational means, for moving and rotating the articles.

Sttes Etet 1! Eeh.29,l972

[54] SPUULENG GAUGE AND REJIEC'K [73] Assignee: Eastman lltodalr Company, Rochester,

{22] Filed: Nov. 28, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 880,846

[52] US. Cl .209/97 [5 1] Int. Cl ..B07lb 13/06 [58] Field of Search ..209/97-l01 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,728,455 12/1955 Greiner ..209/99 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 628,129 4/1936 Germany ..209/97 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Att0rney-Walter O. Hodsdon and Dwight J. l-lolter [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for separating spool-shaped articles having defective flanges from similar articles which are substantially free from flange defects includes translating the articles in an axial direction over an opening of predetermined width less than the flange diameter between members supporting the article by contact at the flange perimeter, and rotating the articles about the core axis so that the articles with defective flanges are rotated into a position in which the flange dimension is insufficient for the flanges to support the articles. The defective articles thereby fall through the opening whereas the articles substantially free from flange defects will not. The apparatus desirably includes track means which defines the opening, supply means for supplying the articles to the track for travel in an axial direction, and means, advantageously vibrational means, for moving and rotating the articles.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZQ I972 FREDERICK 14 R5755 INVENTOR.

A T TOR/VEYS SPOOLING GAUGE AND REJECT SYSTEM This invention relates to devices for detecting peripheral defects in spool-shaped articles. In one of its aspects this invention relates to devices for separating spool-shaped articles having flanges with peripheral continuity from similar articles except having at least one flange with a peripheral defect.

In the production of spools or other spool-shaped articles having an axially extending core and flanges extending radially therefrom, it is frequently desirable to assure that only such articles that have substantially complete flanges (that is, with no significant peripheral defects) be used for the selected commercial end product. In the photographic industry, for example, large amounts of light sensitive products are provided in strips wound about a spool. One of the more important functions of such flanges is to assure that the edges of the sensitized product are not exposed to light. If spools which have defective flanges are employed, the sensitized product would under normal usage be exposed improperly and would thereby result in low-quality photographic images or be rendered totally useless. With the increase in desire for and use of plastic spools in such systems, there has been a commensurate increased demand for a device capable of checking a large number of spools in a short period of time with a high degree of precision. Systems which have been developed for such checking means have included relatively complicated devices, for example, which apply a cup to the outer flange surface and then use a pressure differential to ascertain whether the flange is defective, and devices as indicated in Steele et al. US. Pat. No. 2,991,880. Such devices however, tend to be expensive and relatively complicated and susceptible to mechanical failure.

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive device capable of detecting minor defects in flanges, which device is capable of separating articles with defective flanges from spool-shaped articles substantially free of flange defects.

Another object is to provide a relatively inexpensive device capable of accurately detecting defects in flanges of spoolshaped articles which device is relatively free from moving mechanical parts which are subject to mechanical failure.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a relatively inexpensive device which is capable of efficiently checking a large number of spool-shaped articles to determine whether any of such articles have a peripherally defective flange and to separate those having such defects from those substantially free from defects.

Yet another object of the-present invention is to provide methods and apparatus for separating plastic spools which can be effectively used in packaging photosensitive elements from spools having flanges with significant peripheral defects.

These and other objects which will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings are accomplished according to the present invention which includes methods and apparatus in which spool-shaped articles having an axially extending core and substantially completely formed flanges extending radially therefrom are separated from similar articles except having at least one peripherally defective flange, by moving the articles in an axial direction over a reject opening of predetermined width (less than the normal flange diameter) between two support members which support the articles by contacting the flange perimeter, and, as such spools are moved, rotating the articles about their axis. The defective articles are thus rotated into a position in which the flange diameter through the defect in the defective article is insufficient for the flange to be supported by the support members thereby letting the defective article fall through the opening. Articles which are substantially free from flange defects are carried along the support members to a separate destination. The apparatus advantageously includes a track means which includes support members which are mounted in spaced parallel relationship which defines the width of the reject opening and arranged to support the articles by their flanges for movement of the articles in an axial direction along the length of the opening, and means for rotating and moving the articles along the opening.

For a better understanding of advantages and specific objects derived by the practice of the present invention, reference may be had to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus according to one highly advantageous embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are fragmentary cross sections through the apparatus showing successive positions of a spool having a defective flange as it moves through and is rejected by the apparatus; and

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic plan view of the apparatus of FIG. ll.

The overall operation of the methods and apparatus of a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention may be readily understood by reference to the figures in which FIG. 1 depicts an apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having defective flanges from similar spools which are substantially free from defects. In the apparatus support members 12, a bar of rectangular cross section, and 16, a plate having a substantially vertical surface 18, are mounted in spaced parallel relationship by end plates 20 and 22 to form a track. The distance between edge 114 of support member 12 and sub stantially vertical surface 18 of support member 16 defines the width of reject opening 3% through which spools (or spoolshaped articles) with defective flanges fall. In end plate 20 is an orifice for receiving spools and positioned to direct the spools for axial movement over the reject opening and along the track members. Exit opening 24 in end plate 22 is positioned to allow spools having substantially completely formed spools to exit from the track. Vibrator 32 is linked to support members 12 and 16 by rigid linking member 30. Vibrator 32. is advantageously an in-line vibrator (e.g.,, Syntron in-line vibrator) which vibrates in the direction of arrow 26 as shown in FIG. 5. Rigid linking member 30 connects support members 12 and 16 diagonally to the direction of vibration (also shown in FIG. 5) and skewed with respect to the plane of vibration. The direction of vibration is thus skewed with respect to the plane of intended spool travel and thus applies a force which has longitudinal and transverse components in the intended plane of spool travel and a component perpendicular to the plane of spool travel. Accordingly, the spools are rotated about their axes and moved along the track. Vibrator 32 is fixed in position by vibrator mount 34', thus providing more accurate control of the extent and direction of the vibration. Linking member 30 is advantageously mounted rigidly but adjustably to the support members. The slope of the plane of intended spool travel may thus be controlled by adjusting the slope of support members 112 and 16 so that gravity can assist the travel of the spools along the support members to a desired amount. The extent of vibration and slope and length of the track is controlled to maximize efiiciency of the apparatus and to assure that the spools are rotated the desired amount for the specified length of the track and yet that the spools move along the support members at a rapid rate. A slope of 10 to 30 from horizontal is usually sufficient with the ends of support members which are attached to facing member 20 being the higher end.

Support members 12 and 16 are attached to facing members 20 and 22 with corner 14 of the rectangular cross section of bar 12 pointed toward substantially vertical (within about 10) surface 18 so that the distance between corner 14 and surface 18 defines the width of reject opening 38. The width of opening 38 can, of course, vary depending upon the size of the spool flanges and the radial dimension of the flange defect which is tolerated. One of the outstanding advantages of the present invention is the ease with which the device can detect relatively minor flange defects and separate spools having such defects from completely formed spools. Thus, for detecting peripheral defects in spools having a flange diameter of 0.980 inch, corner 14 is, for example, spaced 0.975 inch from surface 118. It is quite apparent from the foregoing that for reli able separation of completely formed spools from incompletely formed spools, this distance should be carefully controlled to assure that the support members are parallel at least to within predetermined toleration limits.

In the operation of the apparatus spools are fed by feeder 10, which can be any type of mechanism that will orient spools for travel in an axial direction, for example, a Syntron bowl vibrational unit, through an orifice defined by end plate 20. As the spools contact support members 12 and 16 with the periphery of the spool flanges resting in supporting contact with edge 14 and generally vertical surface 18 of support members 12 and 16, respectively, vibrator 32, which is linked to support members 12 and 14 by rigid linking member 30, applies a force which is skewed with respect to the plane of intended spool travel. The spools are thereby moved in an axial direction away from the supply means, or orifice in facing member 20, along support members 12 and 16 and are rotated about their axis. The spools having no significant peripheral defects are advantageously rotated at least 360 during the travel along the track defined by support members 12 and 16. Completely formed spools, spools with no significant peripheral defects, are fed by the track through facing member 22 at exit opening 24 to the desired receptacle. A spool having at least one incompletely formed flange, (a flange with a peripheral defect, as flange 13) is supported in a manner similar to spools with completely formed flanges, as shown in FIG. 2, until the spool rotates into a position in which the flange is of insufficient dimension to be supported by support members 12 and 16, as shown in FIG. 3, whereupon the spool will fall through reject opening 38. In the event that movement caused by the falling spool flange is insufficient to tip or displace the spool having defective flange 13 and thereby results in the spool being temporarily suspended from the opposing flange, the vibrational force applied by vibrator 32 is sufficient to displace the spool so that it will fall free from the track onto tray 36. This is illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the flange surface of the suspended spool is substantially parallel to the plane of travel of the completely formed spools along support members 12 and 16 with the falling spool shown in phantom. Finger 28 which is mounted on facing member 22 projects into reject opening 38 below the plane of spool travel to temporarily stop any spool suspended as in FIG. 4 until the vibration can cause the spool to fall through opening 38. This prevents any possible plugging of exit opening 24.

One will recognize that, although in the specific embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the configura- .tion of the device and selected members have been specified precisely, other embodiments will function effectively. Accordingly, devices including, for example, a pair of wires, cantilever elements, etc. could be utilized in lieu of support members l2 and 16. Similarly, a conveyor belt could be used in place of tray 36 or feeder 10. Also, vibrator 32 could be linked to a plurality of track means.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

I. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two extending completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial directions along the length of the reject opening, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members to define the width of the reject opening, one of said plates having an orifice therethrough for receiving said spools and the opposing plate having an exit opening therein through which substantially completely formed articles exit the track means; and

b. means for moving the said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members;

whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.

2. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial. directions along the length of the reject opening, said support members being inclined in the direction of intended article travel so that gravity can assist movement of said articles along said support members, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members; and

b. means for moving said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said moving means including a vibrator which applies vibration in a direction skewed to the plane of intended article travel and thereby rotates said articles and moves said articles along said support members;

whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.

3. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial directions along the length of the reject opening, said support members including a first member which includes a substantially vertical surface against which a flange perimeter may rest, and a second member which is so disposed that it presents an edge parallel with said vertical surface, whereby the distance between said edge and said vertical surface defines the width of the reject opening, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members; and

b. means for moving said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said moving and rotating means including a vibrator which applies vibration in a direction skewed with respect to the plane of intended article travel along said support members;

whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.

4. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination:

a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial directions along the length of the reject opening, said support members including a flat-elongated plate and a bar of rectangular cross section, said plate being so disposed that one surface thereof is substantially vertically disposed and said bar is so disposed that one comer of the rectangular cross section of said bar is directed at said vertical surface, whereby the distance between said comer and said vertical surface defines the width of the reject opening, said corner and said vertical surface further defining a track on which said completely formed articles travel, said mounting means including facing members rigidly attaching the ends of said plate to the corresponding ends of said bar, one of said facing members having an orifice therethrough for receiving said articles and positioned to direct said articles axially onto the track defined by said support members, and the opposing facing member having an exit opening therein through which substantially completely formed articles exit; and

b. means for moving said articles in: their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said means for moving and rotating said articles including a vibrator and a rigid member linking said vibrator to said support members for vibrational contact therewith, the rotational force provided by said vibrator being sufficient to rotate said substantially completely formed articles a full 360 during the travel along said support, whereby said incompletely formed articles rotate into a position in which a respective flange is of sufficient dimension to be supported by said support members so that the incompletely formed flange drops through the opening, said force also being sufficient to displace any such article which is suspended from said support members by a flange which is substantially parallel to the plane of travel of the completely formed article so that such suspended article will fall through the reject opening.

5. The invention according to claim 4i, and wherein the support members are mounted so that the track defined by said support members slopes with the receiving end being the higher end and said device includes a tray, one portion of which is spaced at a predetermined distance below the reject opening and sloped downward and away from the reject opening for directing the articles having respective incompletely formed flanges to a destination separate from that of the completely fonned spools.

6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including: c. supply means for supplying articles to said track means so that the articles are oriented for travel in an axial direction along the length of the reject opening. 

1. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two extending completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial directions along the length of the reject opening, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members to define the width of the reject opening, one of said plates having an orifice therethrough for receiving said spools and the opposing plate having an exit opening therein through which substantially completely formed articles exit the track means; and b. means for moving the said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members; whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.
 2. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective aXial directions along the length of the reject opening, said support members being inclined in the direction of intended article travel so that gravity can assist movement of said articles along said support members, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members; and b. means for moving said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said moving means including a vibrator which applies vibration in a direction skewed to the plane of intended article travel and thereby rotates said articles and moves said articles along said support members; whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.
 3. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial directions along the length of the reject opening, said support members including a first member which includes a substantially vertical surface against which a flange perimeter may rest, and a second member which is so disposed that it presents an edge parallel with said vertical surface, whereby the distance between said edge and said vertical surface defines the width of the reject opening, and said mounting means including at least two rigid plates attached to the ends of said support members, thereby fixing the distance between said members; and b. means for moving said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said moving and rotating means including a vibrator which applies vibration in a direction skewed with respect to the plane of intended article travel along said support members; whereby articles having respective peripheral defects in either of their flanges which render the generally diametric dimensions of said defective flanges less than the predetermined width of the opening will pass through the reject opening.
 4. An apparatus for separating spool-shaped articles having respective axially extending cores and at least two substantially completely formed circular flanges attached to said respective cores and extending radially therefrom from similar articles which have peripherally incompletely formed flanges, said apparatus comprising, in combination: a. track means having support members and mounting means for mounting said support members in spaced parallel relationship, said support members defining a reject opening therebetween having a length greater than the respective axial dimensions of said articles and a predetermined width less than the respective diameters of said completely formed circular flanges and being arranged to support said articles by their respective flanges for movement of said articles in their respective axial diRections along the length of the reject opening, said support members including a flat-elongated plate and a bar of rectangular cross section, said plate being so disposed that one surface thereof is substantially vertically disposed and said bar is so disposed that one corner of the rectangular cross section of said bar is directed at said vertical surface, whereby the distance between said corner and said vertical surface defines the width of the reject opening, said corner and said vertical surface further defining a track on which said completely formed articles travel, said mounting means including facing members rigidly attaching the ends of said plate to the corresponding ends of said bar, one of said facing members having an orifice therethrough for receiving said articles and positioned to direct said articles axially onto the track defined by said support members, and the opposing facing member having an exit opening therein through which substantially completely formed articles exit; and b. means for moving said articles in their axial directions along said support members over the reject opening while supported by said support members and for rotating said articles about their respective axes as said articles are moved along said support members, said means for moving and rotating said articles including a vibrator and a rigid member linking said vibrator to said support members for vibrational contact therewith, the rotational force provided by said vibrator being sufficient to rotate said substantially completely formed articles a full 360* during the travel along said support, whereby said incompletely formed articles rotate into a position in which a respective flange is of sufficient dimension to be supported by said support members so that the incompletely formed flange drops through the opening, said force also being sufficient to displace any such article which is suspended from said support members by a flange which is substantially parallel to the plane of travel of the completely formed article so that such suspended article will fall through the reject opening.
 5. The invention according to claim 4, and wherein the support members are mounted so that the track defined by said support members slopes with the receiving end being the higher end and said device includes a tray, one portion of which is spaced at a predetermined distance below the reject opening and sloped downward and away from the reject opening for directing the articles having respective incompletely formed flanges to a destination separate from that of the completely formed spools.
 6. The invention according to claim 5 and further including: c. supply means for supplying articles to said track means so that the articles are oriented for travel in an axial direction along the length of the reject opening. 